Chapter 48

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Sitting in my familiar red chair in our bedroom, I can't keep my eyes off Daniel's overnight bag. It sits ready by the door, ensuring I cannot forget that Daniel is about to leave me to resume filming in Rome.

Despite the fact that Sarah and Ben are going to stay with me until I head back to London to finish my final week of work with Harrison, the house feels empty in readiness for his departure. Like the walls are aware of how sad I already feel. Although I've kept upbeat while we've chatted over lunch downstairs, I excused myself to sit alone for a few minutes to give myself a pep talk. Unfortunately, my little talk didn't go too well and now I'm in a worse mood than before.

When I hear footsteps on the stairs, I let out a shaky breath and try to snap out of my dark mood. "Come on Lizzie, you can do this." I whisper to try and convince myself that I'll be OK while Daniel is away. "It's not like you haven't done it before."

I expect to see Daniel, but Sarah pops her head around the door frame, her sleek bob framing her face. "Everything OK?" She asks, her voice full of concern when she looks at me. "What's up?"

"Nothing is up, except I'm just feeling a bit shit." I answer honestly, knowing there is no point in trying to lie to her.

"If you say the word, he won't leave." Sarah responds, knowing exactly what is wrong before she walks over to perch on the edge of our bed to face me.

"I know that. But, he needs to go and finish as much filming as he can. I'm just worried these babies will make an appearance when he's away." I look up to meet her eyes, noticing her raised eyebrow. "I'm being needy... just say it!"

"You are!" She agrees. "But you're thirty three weeks pregnant, I think you're allowed to be needy."

"I can't get Willow off my mind either-" My tone darkens with the mention of her.

"Enough of that shit!" She shouts while pointing aggressively at my belly. "You've spoken to her. She doesn't want your help. That's the end of it! She is not your responsibility... you don't even know her. You need to let it go, or you will go into labour while Daniel is away!"

"OK, OK." I hold my hand wearily up in defeat. "It's just the way she looked at me-" my voice wobbles, "is the way I looked at you when you were trying to help me. I'm so sorry I didn't listen, that I didn't tell you the truth, that I didn't let you help me get out." I feel the tears run down my cheeks, meandering along the contours of my skin, but I don't take my eyes off Sarah. I need her to understand how sorry I am for what I put her and everyone else through. Finally fully aware of their frustration and anger at my denial.

"That was a long time ago, hun. I'm not going to lie to you, it was awful. I thought about what he could be doing to you every day for the five years after uni that we were in London, away from you, and it turned my fucking stomach. I hated how you lied to everyone. I hated what he was doing to you. To be honest, what I knew was happening to you was part of the reason I never wanted to settle down. I just couldn't let myself be vulnerable in case he turned into someone like Ed. Because when he was with us, Ed was the perfect gentleman. But you know what? It made me so proud watching you get stronger every day after you moved to London, how when he finally tracked you down, you fought back and didn't just take it! But, most of all, seeing you fall in love with Daniel made me believe in love again... and that with the right person, it's OK to be vulnerable."

"Oh, Sarah." I sob, wiping my eyes repeatedly.

She laughs devilishly. "So, what I'm saying is... it's your fault I'm in a committed relationship now, especially after all that shit with Andy."

"Ben is perfect for you." I grin back at her.

"I know he is." She says with confidence. "I think he's going to propose soon!"

"What? How do you know that?" I practically shriek.

She shrugs. "He's not the most subtle human being on the planet. Every time there is a diamond ring in sight, he's asking me what I think of the shape or the style. He tries to ask me in a way to make me think he's just making conversation, but I know him too well."

"Platinum, emerald cut." I chuckle, knowing Sarah's ideal engagement ring since I met her when we were eighteen.

"You remember! Now, go and wash your face. You look a state. Then, you can come downstairs and spend some time with Daniel before he leaves for Rome."

Sarah leaves me in our bedroom and I feel even more emotional after our little chat. I silently hope that Ben does propose soon.

Once I have washed my face and reapplied some light makeup, I head back downstairs promising myself that I won't ruin Daniel's last few minutes at home. Daniel has his back to me when I enter our kitchen, standing looking out onto the garden through the bifold doors. As he hasn't heard me enter the room, I take a second to look at him properly. I feel like I haven't actually looked at him for weeks. My heart does a backflip at the sight of his sculpted back beneath his black jumper. The way his short dark wavy hair is still struggling to be tamed causes my pulse to rise. Even though so much has happened, in this moment I still cannot believe that he is mine. "I love you," tumbles from my mouth without me realising that I've said it out loud.

Daniel spins on his heels with his million dollar smile exposing his dimples across his stubble. "I love you too. You feeling OK?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. You OK?" I ask just as he approaches me and wraps his arms around me the best he can with my enormous belly.

"I'm alright. A little nervous to be leaving in case something happens. Promise you will call if anything happens? I can be on a plane within a couple of hours." He leans back so he can study my face.

"I promise."

"I really don't want to go. I feel like I should stay." He looks down at me to judge my reaction. I'm not sure if he wants me to tell him to go or ask him to stay.

"Daniel, you have to go. I don't want you to breach your contract, that's a hassle we don't need at the moment. Two days and you will be home for a little bit. With you coming home so regularly, we can play it by ear the closer we get. Yeah?" I try to reassure him because although I desperately want him to stay by my side until our babies arrive, I know he has commitments that he needs to meet.

"Yeah." He says, but his tone is unsure. Daniel then places both of his hands on either side of my belly causing the babies to wriggle at his touch. "You stay in there until Daddy is home, you hear me?" A few kicks cause Daniel to grin widely. "Nice to know someone is listening to me."

"What time is Lawrence coming for you?" I ask while I turn around to look at the clock on the wall.

"In fifteen minutes." He sighs.

"Oh." Is all I can say. A shiver runs down my spine causing me to rub my bare arms.  Before I can reach for my cardigan from the back of the dining chair, Daniel grabs it. He puts it on for me, then wraps the front around my bump. Daniel stills behind me with his nose in my hair, and suddenly a memory of our first evening together bursts into my mind like a tidal wave. "Do you remember the first night you took me out?"

"You mean our non-date that was really a date, but you were just too stubborn to admit it?" He chuckles before he kisses the back of my head.

"Yeah, that night. Well, we stood just like this. You put my jacket on for me, and held me close... just for a second." I grin with my eyes closed, remembering happily the way my body was covered in goosebumps from his touch.

"Did I?" He asks, perplexed. "I knew you'd be mine, even that night." He grins cockily.

"Did you now?" I ask him curiously with a raised eyebrow.

"How could you possibly resist?" He winks as he releases me, and then begins to walk away.

"I think you'll remember that I did resist for quite a while." I bob my tongue out to him when he turns back to look at me before leaving the kitchen.

"It was all an act." He shouts from the hallway, making Ben bellow with laughter as they cross paths. "Just going to get my bag." I hear him bound lightly up the stairs.

"You OK?" Ben asks, flicking his head back towards the stairs while Sarah follows in behind him.

"I'm fine." I say as I rub my aching back.

"Shall I put the kettle on?" Sarah asks then walks into the kitchen area, flicking the kettle on before I answer.

"Please." I watch Sarah open our wine fridge to top up her glass.

"Don't look so sad, you've got us with you for at least the next day or so!" She grins cheekily as she takes a swig of her wine. She then groans in appreciation. "Your taste in wine has certainly improved since you haven't been drinking."

"It's only because I would try to drink the good stuff before you came round." I playfully tease making Ben laugh again.

"Touché, Mrs Weston!" She chuckles raising her glass. "But look whose laughing now!" She over exaggerates sipping her wine before she animatedly groans in appreciation.

"You bitch." I laugh loudly causing the babies to kick and squirm energetically as my belly shakes.

Daniel strides into the kitchen looking serious. The smile immediately fades from my face. "Ben, can I have a word?" He doesn't wait for an answer or look at me before he turns on his heals, and walks to his office.

Ben glances firstly towards Sarah and then to me sympathetically. "Don't worry," he says with little confidence as he follows Daniel into his office, shutting the door behind him.

"What the fuck is going on now?" Sarah mutters more to herself than a question to me. We hear a car horn from outside, and Sarah checks the camera in the kitchen to make sure it's Lawrence. "I'll let him know Daniel will be a few minutes." She places her wine glass down and then jogs out of the house.

Sitting heavily in the chair, I sigh loudly. As I remain in the chair, I begin to feel my heart rate accelerate. Whether it's my hormones or normal impatience, I pull myself up awkwardly from the chair and waddle over to Daniel's office. I open the door with more force than necessary, letting it bash off the wall. Both men turn to stare at me like I'm a lunatic breaking out of the asylum. "What's going on?" I ask pointedly.

Ben remains silent, looking uncomfortable.    Daniel clears his throat. "Detective Phillips called me. He explained that after your visit his colleague went to see Willow. She refused to press charges, maintains she still fell for fuck sake. So, she's been discharged and that bastard picked her up, flowers and all." Daniel seethes with hatred.

"It's what we expected wasn't it? So, why all the secrecy?" I'm genuinely confused why he is being so secretive.

"I just wanted to make sure that Ben is familiar with all the security our houses have, and... that you didn't try and make contact with her while I'm away." Daniel confesses with a sad smile.

I'm about to shout at Daniel for not speaking to me first, taking in a deep breath to begin my rant. But when I glare at him, I see just how worried he looks, his brow furrowed deeply. My anger immediately disappears, knowing that he's already stressed about leaving me to now worry about me continuing to try and save Willow. "Daniel, please don't worry about me chasing after Willow. I promise you, unless she calls me, I'm not going to do a single thing."

"I'll leave you guys to it." Ben comments before walking passed me in the doorway.

I close the door behind me. "Lawrence is outside."

"He can wait." Daniel says dismissively before standing right in front of me, and cupping my face in his hands. "I need you to be safe while I'm gone. We only need to make it another three weeks, then the doctors will be happy to let the babies come whenever they want! You need to avoid stress, but I know you. You are going to worry about her-"

"I could lie and say I'm not worried, but I'm not going to. It does worry me what he will do to her, but there isn't anything I can do to help now. She has to figure it out for herself. If she calls, I will help. But, until then... it's up to her." I stand up on my tiptoes to kiss his lips. "You need to go now. The quicker you leave, the sooner you will be home."

"I know. Each time I leave, it gets harder." He presses his forehead to mine.

"It's only another couple of times, and then we will all be together."

Daniel holds my left hand up and kisses my wedding band delicately. "OK, baby. Let's get it out the way."

-

Hey guys.

I hope you're all safe and well in these scary times.

What did you think of this chapter?

Poor Daniel is struggling with having to leave Lizzie, but she knows he has to do it.

Hope you liked the little flash back too.

Please let me know what you think, I love reading your feedback! It'd be great if you would tick the little star too, you guys make my day. Love T x -

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